Calle del Conde de Xiquena

The street was named in 1901, three years after the death of the politician it honours. But before bearing a noble title it was part of a royal road towards El Pardo: Texeira’s map of 1656 drew it as Calle de los Reyes alta. Later, the nearness of the convent of the Salesas Reales led locals to call it Calle de las Salesas. The title was born long before the man it recalls: Henry IV of Castile created the county of Xiquena in 1461 for his favourite Juan Pacheco, owner of the castle that gives it its name. In 1864 Isabella II restored it in favour of José María Álvarez de Toledo y Acuña, who was civil governor of Madrid and minister of development under Sagasta. His time heading the civil government won him popular fame for a notable campaign against gambling. Today it links Prim with Bárbara de Braganza. At number 4, Casa Gades opened in 1977, the pizzeria of the flamenco dancer Antonio Gades and the actress Pepa Flores, decorated with mirrors that echoed the prints of Escher.